Greetings and salutations fellow travelers, autumn is upon us yet we're still basking in the sunshine, long may the good weather continue. If not, then there are some fabulous destinations to jet off to around the world and we've been doing our best to make sure that the prices are recession friendly. Hong Kong is our featured destination so be sure to check out the link and discover this unique locations mix of east and west. When packing your bags to wherever you decide to go in the world, weight has become an issue of concern.

Read our segment on hand luggage weight restrictions to ensure that you do not find yourself in the potentially frustrating position of having to repack, pay excess or send your hand luggage into the hold.

And finally, check out what's happening this April in our events section, from the Cape Town Jazz Festival to the Rand Show in Johannesburg.

Destination Spotlight of the Month - Hong Kong

Hong Kong perches on the edge of mainland China occupying
an anomalous position as a territory straddling two worlds. Since the
handover in 1997 Hong Kong has become a 'Special Administrative Region of China' and no longer a subject of colonial sovereignty. Past and present fuse to create a capitalist utopia embedded within the world's largest Communist country.

Hong Kong offers a dense concentration of shops and shopping malls with a cross-pollinated cosmopolitan culture that embraces Nepalese and British cuisines with equal enthusiasm. It is the perfect gateway for travellers to Southeast Asia and China, providing a smooth transition from west to east. As one of the key economies of the Pacific Rim, Hong Kong Island showcases a gleaming landscape of skyscrapers and boasts a highly developed transport infrastructure that makes commuting around it a dream.

Hong Kong consists of four sections, Kowloon, Hong Kong Island, the New Territories and the Outlying Islands. Kowloon and the New Territories form part of the Chinese mainland to the north of Victoria Harbour. Hong Kong Island, containing the central business hub, lies on the southern side of the harbour facing Kowloon. The Outlying Islands comprise a composite of 234 islands.

South African Airways (SAA) is again pleading with passengers to adhere to allocated hand baggage weight restrictions on all flights for their comfort and above all to ensure safe operations.

Passengers are reminded that when flying in economy class the hand luggage allocation is no more than one piece weighing 8kg and two pieces of 8kgs each in business class.

The dimensions of each bag must not exceed 115cm.

"Baggage weight plays a critical role in the safe take-off and landing weight of an aircraft, amongst Passengers will contribute greatly towards a safe journey by assisting us in adhering to the weight limitations," says Tebogo Tsimane, SAA Head Airports Southern Africa.

SAA with the assistance of Airports Company South Africa (ACSA) has implemented a number of measures at airports to ensure that passengers are complying with the hand baggage weight restrictions.

Weighing scales have been placed at strategic security points to weigh hand luggage after check-in. If hand baggage is in excess of the 8kg limit, or in excess of the number of pieces allowed, passengers will be sent to check the bag in before proceeding to board.

"To avoid missing your flight, it is in each passenger's interest to ensure they comply," says Tsimane.

Baggage information flyers are available at all SAA check-in counters as an added resource for passengers on all related restrictions.

Passengers are also reminded that if they are requested to check-in hand luggage due to it not complying with restrictions, all valuable items must be removed for the bag.

A recent trial run by SAA of the new security measures for hand baggage showed a marked decrease in flight departure delays, another benefit passengers can look forward to when complying with restrictions.
Other important points relating to hand luggage to note:

Economy class hand baggage must not be placed in Business Class overhead cabins.

Avoid inconvenience and delays and arrive for check-in well ahead of flight departure time.